– Firearm Licensing, Contempt of Court bills soon to be tabled
Cabinet is in the process of finalising reviews of Bills that will be taken to the National Assembly as the People’s Progressive Party Civic (PPP/C) administration seeks to strengthen its legislative arm. Head of the Presidential Secretariat Dr. Roger Luncheon, during yesterday’s post Cabinet media briefing disclosed that the amendment to the firearm legislation would soon be before Parliament dealing with approvals for firearm licensing. The Firearms (Amendment) Bill seeks to provide for stiffer penalties for persons convicted of gun-related offences.
In accordance with the provision of the Constitution, it is the duty of the State to prevent crime and violations of the law and any person who purchases, acquires or has any firearm or ammunition without holding a firearm licence in force at the time will be fined.
The Firearms (Amendment) Bill was last revised in 1993, having been enacted in 1940.
Also to be tabled in Parliament is the Contempt of Court Bill that seeks to repeal and replace the existing Bill which joins several other pieces of legislation under the justice sector reform.
These include the Juvenile Justice Bill, the Legal Practitioners Bill, and the Rules and Regulations of the Judicial Services Commission Bill.(GINA)